Creeper for animals.



N. 827,005. PATENTED JULY 24, 1906.

L. A. GARDNER. 'GREEPER FOR ANIMALS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.11,1905.

Gttowwg LIX i'rNiTnDl STATES ArATENT orrioi.

LOUlS A; GARDNER, OF PROVI)ENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSGNOR TO TIMOTHY HOPKINS. OF

KILLINGLY, CO NN EO'llO U'l". i

`Grail-:Fain FOR ANIMALS.

Specification of Letters Patent. ,y

Patented July 24,- 1906.

Application led September 11,1905. Serial 'Nov 277.869.

ing is a specification, reference being had 4therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to Creepers designed to be attached to the hoofs of horses or other animals and worn in icy or slippery places; 4ect of the invention is to provide and the obi] a Creeper r iat is simple and practical in Cong, struction, light in weight, and that may lbe easily and quickly attached and detached to :ind from the hoof.

further object of my invention is to so consi ruct the frame of my Creeper that it may be attached to a hoot' that is not shod and that it will serve the purpose of shoes when so attached.

A further object is to provide spurs that may be readii removed from the frame portion of the Creeper, so that each one may be easily' sharpened and replaced.

The invention fully set forth in this specification and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

.ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illustrates my creeper as applied to a horses hoof. lfig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the creepcr in position on a liorses hoof. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the Creeper, showing the hinge. Fig 4 is a rear elevation of thc Creeper, showing the adjustable means of attaching `the same to the hoof.` Fig. 5 is a plan View of my improved Creeper. Fig. 6 is an enl. rged sectional view illustratingr the construe. Lon ot the Creeper and the application of one of the spurs. Fig. 7 is a detail of one of the spurs.

Referring to the drawings, at 10 is the frame of the Creeper constructed to take the eneral shape of a liorses hoof. This frame is turned under at its bottom portion at 11 about the width` of the ordinary shoe. frame thenextends up the side of the hoof for a lshort distance all around the same, asv

shown in 12 in Fig. 1. l preferably Coilstruct this framework of thin metal and Cut out its sides, as at 13, (see Fig. 1,) to reduce thc weight of the saine. This lframe portion is preferably constructed in two parts hinged together at 14 at its front or forward end. At thc rear of the frame and extending from one side thereof is the car 15, and projecting through this ear are the two threaded ends of the adjustable U-sliaped strap 16, the working length of which strap may be :adjusted and regulated by the turning of the nuts 17. On the corresponding end at the opposite side of the frame is preferably used a hinged connected end of the strap 16, which hook i serves the purpose of drawing the two halves i of the frame together and securely locking Ithem in that position on the aninials foot., In order to stiffen the bottoni' portion of the framework, I have provided a reinforcingshapel of the bottom of the frame and admit of being separated at its forward end when the frame opens on its joint to receive the foot. These reinforcing strips or plates serve a very useful purpose, as they admit of the said frame being struck up of sheet-stock and having a .thin bottoni portion integral with the sides and of the saine thickness. struct the 'frame in this manner is of commercial importance, as it greatly reduces the cost of manufacture and also reduces the weight of the frame, which is a desirable feature when applied to the horscs feet. When so constructed of this light material, the bottom portion of the fra-me needs reinforcing in order to present stock thick enough to receive the threaded portion of the spurs 21,-and this threaded portion of the spur iii turn server tofasten the plates in iosition. These spurs are preferably made of steel and sharpcned at their lower ends, and any desired number may. be inserted into the bottom of I thefraine. l have also shown allayer of felt Z2 around the bottoni/and sides of the frame, which may be used, if desired, as a protection to the hoof. l

One great advantage of this Creeper is that shoes during the icy weather in dthe wintertiine. ln other Words, it is not necessary in order to attach my creeper to a horses hoof that the horse should be shed, as thecrceper may be used equally well either way and will thoroughly protect the hoof.

It is'fonnd in practice that the ease and rapidity with which this Creeper riiaV be con- \nected and disconnected to and om the highly desirable for the purpose spccilied.

Having thus described my invention, what strip 1S), that is made in halves to follow thethc same may be made to take the place of horses foot, together with its efficiency and practical construction, renders the saine tongue or Clasp 18, adapted to hook into the To Coii- I clzti 1n es new, end ters Patent, is`

l. A device of the character described comprising e two-part hinged frame adapted to be struck up from sheet-stock and shaped to substantially fit the animals hooi and engege the bottom and sides thereof, e set of reinforcing-pletes in the bottom of seid frame, spurs tluezided through the bottom of said frame into seid plates, and means for locking the frame onto the hoof. 2. In ay device of the character described, e frame shaped to substm'itiellyt the eninnils hoof and engave the sides thereof, said 'frame being 'adapted to be opened to admit the i hoof, spurs extending from the bottom of seid frame, and :i hinged tongue adapted to drew the sides of seid frame around the hoof i and look the sume in position.

3. In e device of the clniruoter described, e hinged frame adapted to substantially fit the enimitls hoof' end engfwe the sides tliereo'i', reinforcing-plates in tiie bottom of said frame, spurs threaded through the bottom of seid freine into seid plete, and e hinged desire to seeure'by Letl tongue adopted to drew the reer ends of seid frame together und lock the sinne to the hoof.

Li. ln :t device of the elniroeter described, u i separable freine adapted to onguife the uninmls hoof, reinforcii'ig-plates in. idle bottom of seid freine, spurs thremled 'through the bottom ol seid [ritme into seid plate, :t strap ,i provided with en eye on the rear of' said f frame, and e spring-hinged tongue or eiesp on seid frame adapted to engage said strep to drew and lock seid frame to the hoof. y 5. In e device of theoheracter described, e hinged'freme ade ted to substantially t the animals hoof endjseid frame being adapted to be opened to admit and engage the sides thereof, spurs extendino'from the bottom of seid freine, a strap on t 1e rear of seid frame provided with en eye, and e springehinged tongue adapted to enga-ge said strL to draw the sides of said-frame together en securely lock the seme to the hoof. 6. A Creeper of the ciess described comprisin e twoart hinged frame, both arts of sei frame eing adapted to be struc up y 'from sheet-stock and formed to substantially fit the enimais hoof end engage the bottom end sides thereof, a set of reinforeing-pletes in the bottom of said frame for stifeni the seme, removable spurs threaded throng the bottom of said frame into seid lates, an adjustable strep on the rear of siti frame and e spring-hinged tongue adopted to engage seid strap to drew the sides of seid frame together und securely lock the seme to the hoof.

In testimony 'whereof l affix my signature presence of two witnesses,

LOUIS A. GARDNER.`

Witnesses VHOWARD E. BARLOW, E. i. OGDEN. 

